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 would not be put from her purpose; and Miss Bydel, though she thought it but odd not to be made of more consequence, could not be hurt from a feeling which she neither possessed nor understood,—delicacy.

"So I hear, Miss Ellis, you have met with misfortunes?" Miss Bydel began: "I am sorry for it, I assure you; though I am sure I don't know who escapes. But I want to know how it all first began. Pray, my dear, in what manner did you set out in life? A great deal of one's pity depends upon what people are used to."

"What most concerns me for poor Miss Ellis," said Miss Arbe, "is her having no instrument. I can't think how she can live without one. Why don't you hire a harp, Miss Ellis?"

Ellis quietly answered, that she was not very musically inclined.

"But you must not think how you are inclined," said Miss Bydel, "if you are to go out for a companion, as Mrs.